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| Photo by Nk Ni on Unsplash |
But even as we recognize the accomplishment of women now and in decades past we cannot forget that women have been standing up for their rights in every era! This was true even during Biblical times when culturally, women were marginalized and considered property of their fathers and husbands.
These women were valued only as assets to family wealth or human vessels to carry the next male heir. That's why Zelophehad Daughters in the Book of Numbers stand out in startling contrast.
THE FIGHT FOR INHERITANCE RIGHTS
Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah were the five daughters of Zelophehad, an Israelite heading for the Promise land. After deliverance from Egyptian slavery Israelites were promised land flowing with milk and honey denoting its fruitfulness. God gave Moses instructions for dividing the conquered lands among His people and Joshua executed the plan (Joshua 17:3-4). But Zelophehad died having no sons. Under current law his portion would be dispersed among male clan members. UNTIL, these five bold sisters stood up to Moses and the people demanding their right to inherit! (Numbers 27:1-11)
They brought before Moses a case so strong that he had no choice but ask God for guidance! Our Just God heard and granted the sisters their rightful due and this set a legal precedence in Old Testament Law. With this exception, to keep the land they had to marry within their clan keeping it in the family! (Numbers 36:6-12)
Yet, this fight continued for women until the mid-1800s. In the United States only single women could own property and then under special circumstances. If married only their husbands could buy or own land. This changed later with the Married Women's Property Act of 1848 and by the 1900s every state passed laws giving women this right.
THE FIGHT FOR FERTILITY RIGHTS
Two other women find their place among Women's Rights Activists in the Old Testament, Shiprah and Puah! (Exodus 1:15-21) If it weren't for them, there would be no heirs to claim God's promises in Canaan! Perhaps Zelophehad daughters heard the story about the midwives in Egypt who risked their lives and took note! Unlike the culture war women are fighting now, these women were trying to keep newborns alive! When the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt they grew in such numbers that Pharaoh felt threatened. When a plan to break them with hard work and inferior resources didn't work, he resorted to murder. He instructed the Hebrew midwives to kill every male Hebrew boy but let the girls live (Exodus 1:15-20). The midwives refused and prevented one of the first incidences of Jewish genocide in history.
THE FIGHT FOR EQUAL RESPECT, HONOR, AND DIGNITY
However, The Greatest Women's Rights Activist in the Bible was not a woman! Before the Civil Rights Movement; Women's Rights Protests, and Black Lives/All Lives Matter Marches with praises resounding for their martyrs; there was One Who has always been in the forefront of Women's Rights...Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
The small steps of liberty and value women gained in the Old Testament waned over the years. By the time of Christ, women were denied education even religious instruction. They could not be a witness in legal matters (their word could not be trusted). They couldn't speak to men of note in public and their status was little more than household slaves.
But Christ restored their dignity through His word and personal example! Mary of Bethany sat at His feet along with His disciples (Luke 10:38-42). Mary Magdalene and other women were the first witnesses of His resurrection (Luke 24:10). He conversed with the Samaritan woman boldly and openly. (John 4:7-26) Thus, we see a woman evangelist and missionary in a foreign land and the birth of the Church Age heralded from the lips of a woman. Throughout Christ's ministry we find women in His company as disciples, highlighted in teaching illustrations, and bearing witness to His glory. His example continued throughout the Apostolic Age with Paul and others and although contested in some measure TODAY their significance cannot be denied!
THE FIGHT FOR RIGHTS ALREADY WON!
Women's Rights is NOT coveting what belongs to men (Gen. 5:2). There are role distinctions that must be obeyed for spiritual order and harmony! Women's Rights is NOT claiming rights that are not our own! God still calls the shots! (I Corin. 6:19-20) But in the course of normal respect, dignity, and justice Christ has ALREADY leveled the playing field! If you consider diversity, equality, and justice for women as a basic human right you can be sure that Christ felt the same (Galatians 3:28). Getting contemporary cultures to agree seems to be the problem. And so we continue to remind them of the woman's contribution as we exercise with excellence our gifts and by celebrating our right to be acknowledged not just in March but EVERY DAY!
UNTIL NEXT TIME...
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